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Historic Tramway In Caballito, Buenos Aires
Sep 5th
Caballito Streetscape
Historic Weekend Mansions
By Roy Heale
Historically, the Buenos Aires barrio of Caballito was where wealthy Porteños would go on the weekend to kick back at their colonial-style mansions. Some of these mansions are still standing today on Avenida Rivadavia—for example, the house of the wine baron Ambrosio Lezica. One of the most notable things about Caballito these days is the presence of a faculty of the University of Buenos Aires. The students of the Faculty of Philosophy and Letters help to add character to what is otherwise rather a patrician and well-to-do district. The main commercial area of Caballito is on Avenida Rivadavia, which is one of the city’s main thoroughfares and also one of the borders of this barrio.
Tram Sheds
For people who like to stroll around neighbourhoods and enjoy the sights, Caballito has plenty of interesting attrcations. Parque Rivadavia features an every-day street market selling books and music including vinyl records, music scores, and more. The other park, Parque Centenario, is also beautiful, and was very recently refurbished after some years of neglect. For tram buffs and history enthusiasts there’s the Historical Tramway Museum of Buenos Aires, and for architecture admirers there’s the English District, which features buildings from the late 19th century British style. The Mercado del Progreso, a historic and still-functioning market, is also impressive.
Historic Tram
Buenos Aires grew at the side of the streetcar tracks, like most Argentine cities. Many neighborhoods were formed thanks to its services, and although in 1962 all trams were removed from the streets of Buenos Aires, there are countless memories and stories that still linger from earlier days. On November 15, 1980 the “TRAMWAY HISTORY OF BUENOS AIRES” opened, with support from the Association of Friends of the Tram, which brings together those who share the enthusiasm for this mode of transport. Several old trams have been restored and every day free fifteen minute rides are offered to anyone who would like to journey back through time. Trams leave every twenty minutes from the only stop on the line, located in Emilio Mitre 500 (E. Mitre between the Board and Jose Bonifacio Avenue) and travel a road circuit of 2 km along the streets Emilio Mitre, Av Rivadavia, and Avenue Directory Hortiguera. During each trip, the traditional “motorman” and conductor give an outline of historical data and technical information. Members of the Association volunteer their time to run this service, including restoration and maintenance of vehicles, actively working to make this a free service. The tramway is just three blocks from the Subte station Emilio Mitre on Line “ E ”. This is an interesting introduction to the historic Caballito barrio.
Inside The Restored Streetcar
Caballito Parkland
Spend a relaxing time with the tram ride and strolling thrpough the neighbourhhod parks.
For More Information Visit:
http://www.buenosaires.com/guia_turistica_argentina/index.php
http://www.tranvia.org.ar
http://www.gringoinbuenosaires.com/neighborhood-guides/caballito
Beatles Museum in Buenos Aires
Aug 23rd
Beatles Memorabilia
By Roy Heale
It may not be the traditional Liverpool surroundings for the Fab Four, but the recently opened Beatles Museum in Buenos Aires boasts an amazing collection of memorabilia. Created by 53-year-old Rodolfo Vazquez the museum features thousands of items related to the famous foursome from England. The Beatlemania collecting obsession began for the Argentine accountant when he was just 10 years old.
Rodolfo Vazquez
“With the song ‘In My Life,’ on the Rubber Soul album I fell in love with the Beatles,” Vazquez told The Associated Press. He holds the 2001 Guinness World Record for owning the world’s largest collection of the legendary rock band’s memorabilia. At that point, Guinness noted that he had 5,612 items in the attic of his home in Buenos Aires. His hoard has grown to more than 8,500 records, gadgets, puppets and games since then, more than 2,200 of which are on display in the Beatle Museum that just opened this year at Paseo La Plaza, 1660 Corrientes Avenue 1660, in an area of the capital city where tourists throng. Museum visitors will be able to view items like a check signed by drummer Ringo Starr, a large collection of album covers, toys, figurines, and a brick from The Cavern Club, where the band was discovered in the 1960s.
Museum and Cavern Club Entrances
There are Beatles museums in Liverpool, England, and Hamburg, Germany, that display memorabilia along with objects from the band members’ lives, and other private collections as well. But this storefront museum stands out for the sheer quantity of pieces, carefully arranged in display cases and on the walls. There are objects for all tastes: a box of condoms with the name of John Lennon and Yoko Ono, a wig that says it adjusts to any head size, and signed pictures of the four musicians. Vazquez also keeps accumulating objects, either buying or trading for them with other collectors around the world.
The Fab Four
The Beatles broke up in 1970, but there’s no letup in interest about the band: When their song list was added to iTunes last year, more than 2 million individual songs and 450,000 copies of Beatles albums were sold in the first week.
Although the Beatles never performed in Argentina, people here seem to have a soft spot for them, ensuring that cover bands have regular gigs. Many such bands play in Vazquez’s “The Cavern Club,” a bar next to the museum named after the Liverpool nightclub.
Vazquez claims he doesn’t know the total value of his private collection, which also includes record covers, autographs, toys, original pictures, concert programs, and cups and plates with Beatle images. Other rarities are four music boxes with figures of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. Vazquez even has certified copies of their birth certificates. Rarities include a hunk of the stage of Hamburg’s Star Club, a strip club where the musicians worked as the house band, at that point with Pete Best as drummer. A pair of drumsticks signed by Best, who was replaced by Ringo Star in 1962, is
in the Buenos Aires museum.
There’s also a piece of the floor of Strawberry Fields, a Salvation Army orphanage near
Lennon’s boyhood home whose name inspired the 1967 psychedelic rock tune “Strawberry Fields Forever.”
Getting the chance to show his treasures to fellow fans is immensely satisfying to Vazquez
and thousands have already rushed to the museum to relive Beatlemania at its best!
Paseo La Plaza, 1660 Corrientes Avenue,
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Clarifying Argentina’s Same-Sex Marriage Act
Mar 16th
By Roy Heale
Over six months have passed since the Argentina Federal Same-Sex Marriage and Adoption Act was signed into law on July 22nd., 2010. A predominantly Roman Catholic country, Argentina is now at the vanguard of gay rights in South America and is one of only a handful of countries globally which allow gay couples to wed. Although actual statistics are not available, estimates claim that already over 1000 same-sex couples have taken advantage of the new law and tied the not in Argentina last year.
However, there is some confusion and uncertainty as to whether LGBT tourists from other countries may also visit Argentina for their wedding and honeymoon. But there is no ambiguity when it comes to declaring Argentina as the most gay-friendly and gay-welcoming country in South America after taking this bold step forward towards equality for its gay and lesbian citizens.
Within the text of the new law it states that same-sex “residents” of Argentina may marry and this is where the double meaning of the new law has caused some misunderstandings. There are two ways to qualify for residency in Argentina. The first is to apply to the Immigration Department for permanent residency which is a lengthy, complicated process and, if you qualify, usually takes up to six months. Secondly one can obtain a domicile-certificate from the local police department which costs about US$8.00 and takes about forty-hours hours to complete. But only the official residency from the Immigration Department is currently acceptable for marriage in Argentina. It is possible for a non-resident to marry an Argentine citizen or official resident but this involves another complicated and lengthy application process.
On December 17th., 2010 Argentina’s Minister of the Interior, Florencio Randazzo, agreed to issue a disposition soon clarifying that non-resident aliens will be allowed to get married in Argentina since most Civil Registries are not currently allowing this to happen. No indication was given as to when this clarification will be issued but the local LGBT community leaders are optimistic it will be sooner rather than later.
It should be noted that same-sex marriages are being treated in the same manner as heterosexual couples when it comes to the application process for a wedding license. According to immigration lawyer Hector Gabriel Celano, of Celano & Associates, the paperwork for any marriage license in Argentina can take about two weeks to process and in the cases involving foreigners several documents have to be officially translated into Spanish and notarized. A blood test is also required and must be conducted at a recognized clinic in Argentina. Approximately one week after the wedding ceremony a marriage certificate is issued. So even if two non-residents are allowed to marry in the future it will require a minimum three week stay in Argentina and may require assistance from a local expert to ensure that the application process goes smoothly without any delays.
So while Argentine citizens and official residents can take advantage of the new same-sex marriage act, foreigners and tourists will have to be a little bit more patient.
Having said that, an unconfirmed rumor claims that a same-sex couple of tourists were married in Mendoza. Must have been under the influence of the local Malbec wines!
But one thing is for sure—a very gay-friendly welcome is waiting for LGBT visitors to the South American gay mecca of Buenos Aires and throughout Argentina.
For More Information Visit: www.celano.com.ar
www.facebook.com/matrimonioigualitario
www.lgbt.org.ar
Pride Day 2010 Celebrations in Buenos Aires
Nov 12th
By Roy Heale
Well this month I am celebrating three years since my first trip to Buneos Aires in November 2007 whereupon I decided to make this city my new semi-retirement home. This year I managed to arrange my travel schedule to be at home for the city’s Pride festivities. And what a year to be celebrating in this new gay mecca of South America! This past year saw the enactment of the new Same-Sex Marriage and Adoption Act by the Government of Argentina in July, the opening of Pink Point Buenos Aires—the downtown gay and lesbian information center—in September, and the new Pink Center at the FIT Latin America (International Tourism Fair of Latin America) in late October. These are only a few of the LGBT “firsts” in Argentina this year. Truly a year of jubilation for the local LGBT community and reinforcing the gay-friendly reputation which this country is earning honestly.
However, the celebrations here are slightly different to those organized in other parts of the world. The local gay businesses participate in a late afternoon trade fair in the central Plaza de Mayo from 3PM to 6PM rather than creating elaborate, decorative floats to enter in the parade. The Pride March itself begins around 6PM and heads from Plaza de Mayo to the Plaza de los dos Congresos. This Pride March is more of a political rally than a festive parade as the roots of the March are centered around a demonstration for equality rather than a celebration of Pride. But there is still plenty of color and festivity as one would expect of any gay event in a city of this size.
Talking to the locals, and not surprisingly, it appeared as though this year’s march will prove to be a record breaking attendance. Early reports indicated the crowd to be over 100,000 people. Lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgendered, their friends, and families converged on the heart of Buenos Aires beginning early in the afternoon and the crowds kept swelling until late into the evening. Rather than Avenida de Mayo being lined with spectators awaiting to see a parade, it was more of a slow moving throng of people progressing from Plaza de Mayo to the Plaza de los dos Congresos filling the street to absolute maximum capacity.
Many individuals, groups, and same-sex parents were showing their appreciation to the late President Nestor Kirchner for his dedication to equal rights for all Argentine citizens and sympathy for the current President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner at her recent loss. Two lesbian mums with a stroller for their two young children and a sign thanking the Kirchners was one of the most popular and heart-warming entrants in the march.
Participants traveled from all over Argentina and many visitors to the city from other countries turned out to see how the LGBT community in this country celebrates Pride. A young man from Macedonia could not believe the freedom of the gay community and two Americans were impressed at the staging of such a colossal event without any corporate funding or commercial sponsorship. There were no elaborate floats from beer companies or designer clothing, just the Argentine citizens and local organizations volunteering their time and resources to organize this spectacular event.
My first Pride celebrations in Buenos Aires proved to be another occasion which reminds me how lucky I am to be living in this new gay mecca of South America and witnessing the development of the LGBT community in Argentina.
Going Gay at FIT in Buenos Aires
Oct 30th
- Pink Corner
- Gustavo Noguera (left) and Pablo De Luca
- Brazil Exhibit
By Roy Heale
With a great deal of fanfare and excitement The 15th annual FIT Latin America (International Tourism Fair of Latin America) is taking place once again in Buenos Aires from October 30th to November 2nd. Last year the four day event was attended by almost 83,000 people and approximately 40% of these were travel industry professionals. With the recent increases in the number of international visitors to Argentina it is anticipated that this year’s 15th Anniversary show will be even bigger than in prior years. With over 250 exhibitors from around South America and other parts of the globe, seminars, presentations, and more this is perhaps the largest gathering of travel industry representatives in South America. However, this year a new component has been added called The Pink Corner which is an exclusive area for LGBT travel businesses to promote their services and communicate the importance of the gay and lesbian sector of the traveling public.
This new feature Pink Corner is the first initiative of the CCGLAR (Cámara de Comercio Gay Lésbica Argentina)—which is the new Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce in Argentina—in collaboration with The Argentina Ministry of Tourism.
Pablo De Luca & Gustavo Noguera founders of CCGLAR and owners of GMAPS360 and Gnetwork360 began working on this project earlier this year long before same-sex marriages in Argentina became legal in July 2010, but only just received the go-ahead after the new law was enacted. However, according to De Luca it is now even more appropriate that the LGBT travel segment of this industry demonstrates a stronger presence at this major annual trade show and fair.
Some of Argentina’s leading LGBT travel industry professionals participating at Pink Corner included Delta Air Lines, Gmaps360, Hertz, GNETWORK360, TIJE Travel, Glam Travelers, Friendly Apartments, GWedding, Casa Shanti, Pink Point Buenos Aires, Bariloche Gay Travel,Thennat Travel, BA Queer, Mendoza Gay Travel, Deptos Mendoza, INSIDE Resto Bar, Human Club, Pride Cafe, Libor Tour, Uomobello, Out&About, Howard Johnson, and Flamenco Tour. These local travel businesses and tour operators demonstrated the diversity of services which Argentina already offers to the LGBT traveler visiting this vast country. It is certain that with this kind of initiative by the CCGLAR and its future planned activities, the LGBT business community in Argentina will grow and develop into a major component of the overall travel industry in South America.
If you were unable to attend this year’s FIT show then mark the dates October 29th to November 1st, 2011 on your calendar and head to the new gay mecca of South America—Buenos Aires—for next year’s 16th edition of this important industry gathering.
For More Information Visit: www.fit.org.ar or www.ccglar.org
A Buenos Aires Lovers Locale—Torcuato & Regina, Bar-Bistro
Oct 26th
By Roy Heale
Latin lovers are world renowned for their passion and intimate love affairs. Perhaps the most famous of these romantic couples was Juan Domingo Peron and Maria Eva Duarte de Peron—more commonly known as Evita. But prior to this historic coupling the 20th President of Argentina, Maximo Marcelo Torcuato de Alvear, met with a stellar Portuguese opera singer, Regina Pacini, whereupon another great love affair began. The latter couple is less renowned globally but equally immortalized in Argentina’s political history. Now Buenos Aires is home to a meeting place named in their honor Torcuato & Regina Bar-Bistro where lovers come together—including same-sex partners—for great dining and casual encounters over cocktails.
Located on the edge of the Plaza San Martin with its magnificent, mature Ombú trees and adjacent to the historic facade of the Circulo Militar building, the Torcuato & Regina Bar-Bistro is conveniently located at the Plaza San Martin, Linea C, Subway station. The sidewalk cafe tables plus the huge windows provide a perfect view for relaxing and dining, or simply meeting for drinks. Close to the downtown business district, many historic sights, and the bustle of the Florida Street pedestrian mall, it is also the perfect respite for a break from strenuous activities affording time to stop and smell the roses in an otherwise frenetic day.
In keeping with the tradition whereby Torcuato showered Regina with bouquets of red and white roses during their courtship and throughout their marriage, a red rose is a predominant theme at this Bistro.
The décor throughout Torcuato & Regina offers a bright and airy, yet cozy atmosphere. A classic French chateau effect is created by the use of rich-colored polished wood, red and white accents of floral patterned wall coverings, a decorative high ceiling, chandeliers, and light tomato-red veiled drapes. The grand curved oak, paneled bar with a white marbled counter-top is the perfect place to relax and sample the extensive wine selection, enjoy a coffee break, or be refreshed by one of the nine different brands of bottled water. All of this is served by handsome bartenders and waiters eager to make your experience an enjoyable one. The bistro side of the complex offers casual and intimate dining with a diverse international menu also offering traditional Argentine cuisine with a modern flair. From hot and cold appetizers, plus light salads to pasta and pizzas plus assado meats or grilled fish, the extensive menu offers a gourmet selection for any dining occasion. Then there’s also the desserts with perfect taste sensations to satisfy any sweet tooth craving. But perhaps the specialty of the maison is the extensive wine list prepared by the sommelier and General Manager, Alejandro Pagani, who will be pleased to guide you through your wine selections.
So now the LGBT community of Buenos Aires and visitors to the city have a gay-friendly place to meet and enjoy conversations in a tranquil atmosphere with the light strains of Latin jazz music in the background. It is also becoming a gathering place where—in keeping with the traditions of Latin romances–singles might begin their own love affair after that perfect same-sex encounter. Whatever your reason for a visit to Torcuato & Regina Bar-Bistro it is guaranteed to be a perfectly memorable experience and you will probably fall in love with the place.
Location: Avenida Santa Fe 772, Buenos Aires, Argentina, C1059ABO
- Phone: +54.11.4312-9410/3349
- Hours of Operation: Mon – Fri 8:00 am – 1:00 am Sat: 9:00 am – 1:30 am
- Visa, Amex, Mastercard Accepted
For More Information Visit: www.torcuatoyregina.com
Buenos Aires Gay Pub Crawl
Oct 8th
By Roy Heale
When you are visiting a city which is the size of Buenos Aires with a population of over 13 million then the nightlife is bound to be overwhelming and full of choices. With so many bars, clubs, cafes, and restaurants in several different neighborhoods it’s a veritable smorgasbord and for the newcomer this can be a real challenge. For this reason the expert and friendly staff at Out & About have created the Thursday night Buenos Aires Gay Pub Crawl. If you join this group you will meet other tourists from all over the world and be guided safely through the nightlife maze by local experts. It’s a great introduction to what this gay mecca has to offer at night for LGBT visitors.
Every Thursday the group meets for registration at the initial location—which may vary from week to week—for the first hour of mingling, getting to know each other, complimentary wine or beer, and tapas. At this gathering you will learn the itinerary for the night’s adventure ahead and what to expect on the guided walking tour.
Usually the evening will include three pub or bar venues and then one major night club for the final stop. On my particular Pub Crawl we began at 10 Mil y Pico Bar in Palermo. Here in a cozy atmosphere the tapas were great, the drinks flowed, and everybody got to know each other very quickly. The Out & About staff are amazingly welcoming and they make it their business to see that everyone is enjoying themselves. This sets the tone for the perfect evening which lies ahead.
Kyle, Danny, and Jared from Out & About are great hosts and obviously love there job introducing visitors and locals to the vibrant Buenos Aires club scene. Even though it was Kyle’s last Pub Crawl before he headed back to his home town for a while, his enthusiasm was infectious. We moved on to Quiroz, Koh Lanta, and Sitges before our final stop at Amerika. Each with its own unique style and atmosphere including the entertaining drag show at Sitges.
Each venue had prepared a special complimentary welcome shooter for the group and offered special drink prices to each tour member. Also, the group is treated as V.I.P.s and there are no long line-ups for nightclub admission. This is not a tour where you want to have any plans for the next morning! Especially as Amerika allows you to dance and party until dawn!
If you happen to be in town on your birthday then this tour is FREE! Just bring a copy of some ID to the registration venue and you will have the best birthday party you can—or cannot—remember. With a price tag of approximately $35US this is remarkably good value for an escorted night on the town and a non-stop party.
Tickets are available form Out & About (0054 911-3036 1361) or they are on sale at Pink Point Buenos Aires.
Let the local experts at Out & About get you started on the right path with a sampling of the dazzling nightlife available in this renowned gay mecca of South America—Buenos Aires.
For More Information Visit:
Pink Point Center In Buenos Aires Opens Its Doors
Sep 2nd
Final Preparations Before Opening Doors Opening Night Crowds
By Roy Heale
Recently the Argentine Ministry of Tourism announced that international visitors to this country have increased by 30% year-over-year based upon numbers for June 2010. It is almost certain that many of these travelers are from the global gay and lesbian community. The capital city of Buenos Aires is the number one popular destination in Argentina and recently it has been dubbed the new “gay mecca” of South America. So it seems appropriate that the FIRST Pink Point LGBT Information Centre in South America opened its doors in Buenos Aires during September 2010. Following hot on the heels of Argentina being the FIRST country on the continent to legalize same-sex marriages nationally, the timing of this launch could not be more appropriate. Argentina is truly joining the ranks as one of the most gay-friendly countries in the world.
Modeled after the successful Pink Point Amsterdam, which began during the Gay Games in 1998—since then has been expanded into Barcelona and London—Pink Point Buenos Aires is a convenient ground floor store-front location in the heart of downtown near the intersection of the renowned Florida and Lavalle pedestrian streets. Initially it will be open daily at the Galeria Luxor, Lavalle 669, from 10:00 to 20:00 HRS (Sundays 16:00 to 20:00HRS) and staffed by multi-lingual employees.
Erik Hovenga Diaz Luxor Galeria, Lavalle 669, Buenos Aires
“We wanted to bring together all the gay and gay-friendly businesses in Buenos Aires under one roof and provide a venue with information about the city’s LGBT social life,” says Erik Hovenga Diaz, Director of The Royal Family and main instigator of the Pink Point Buenos Aires. “Visitors will be able to pick-up brochures, gay maps, ask questions, and learn about the vibrant Buenos Aires gay community,” continues Hovenga Diaz. They will also be able to book real gay tours of the city and surrounding attractions hosted by knowledgeable local gay residents, join special Pink Point excursions, learn about all of Argentina, and purchase appropriate gay souvenirs or tickets to shows. Future plans include an art gallery focusing on the works of local LGBT artists. The information center will also be hetero-friendly and inclusive in the information provided.
Pink Point Buenos Aires is a member of the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association ensuring that all visitors to the center are connected to the larger global family of LGBT travel specialists.
All of these information services are offered FREE to the tourists and all the hand-out brochures, maps, etc., are provided by the local businesses and tourism agencies. There is also an extensive website providing a great deal of information for tourists to use for research prior to leaving their home town. This could well be the most extensive and comprehensive LGBT information source in Argentina and it is anticipated that additional gay and gay-friendly businesses throughout South America will want to be represented at the center in the future.
In a city with 13 million residents there is a thriving LGBT community, but it is not always easy to find your way around Buenos Aires when you are an international visitor—now the Pink Point center will make this task a little easier. No gay visit to Buenos Aires will be complete without stopping at the Pink Point center upon arrival in the city to ensure that you learn everything that this gay mecca has to offer for the complete LGBT experience in Buenos Aires and beyond.
For More Information Visit: www.pinkpointbuenosaires.com
Tango, Wine, and Gay Tour of Buenos Aires, Argentina
Aug 27th
By Roy Heale
While Argentina’s LGBT community is basking in the glow of the recent victory for same-sex marriage and adoption legislation there is a bustle of new activity in the gay tourism industry. International tourism to Argentina rose thirty percent in the month of June 2010 and it is probably safe to assume that many of these tourists were LGBT travelers. In anticipation of increased gay vacationers the local LGBT travel agency and tour operator Duques del Plata have added the new Tango, Wine, and Gay Tour as one of their regular Saturday excursions.
This LGBT trip includes a Thematic Tour through Tango neighborhoods, A Tango lesson—either for participation or spectator enjoyment—plus a Wine Tasting of local Argentine wines including the renowned Malbecs. There is also an option to enjoy the El Querandi’s dinner and Tango Show after the tour completes in their impressive wine cellar.
The historical journey by private tour bus travels through Recoleta, Abasto, Corrientes Avenue, the Theatre District, Plaza de Mayo and San Telmo. In English and Spanish a tour guide recants the Tango story and historical ties to each community, plus other tour attractions and highlights.
Ending at the famous El Querandi’s Academy of Tango the event includes a private instructional dance session and informative wine tasting in this historic San Telmo edifice.
If all of this is not enough to really experience Tango then an evening of dinner and show is also available at El Querandi for a nominal extra charge.
The tour is for two to thirty people and includes a hotel pick-up and drop-off starting at about 4PM on Saturday afternoons and concludes around 8:30PM after the wine tasting. Reasonably priced at US$125 for the tour and US$175 with the dinner and show option this will be a memorable evening of Tango and local Buenos Aires culture.
For More Information Visit: www.duquesdelplata.com
Tango Buenos Aires Festival 2010
Aug 17th
By Roy Heale
Despite the chilly winter weather at this time of year nothing can dampen their spirit as thousands of dance enthusiasts converge on Buenos Aires for the annual Tango Festival. Recognized as the Tango birthplace, Buenos Aires offers a year-round Tango extravaganza but every year the last two weeks of August provide an in-depth experience of this Argentine cultural and historical identity. This is the global Mecca for dancers who enjoy watching or performing milonga and tango plus the opportunity to meet and observe the masters of the art form as they compete in the Dance World Cup.
Tango knows no boundaries as young and old join together in celebrating their dance heritage. Throughout the city nine different official venues host a variety of musical, dance, and educational performances during the nineteen days of festivities. These buildings themselves are a part of Buenos Aires history and include Teatro Ribera, Galileo Planetarium, Recoleta Cultural Centre, Teatro Coliseum, and much more. Each year a Meeting Point is created which is open every day of the festival holding Tango classes, a permanent art exhibit, a main entertainment stage, and a marketplace. In 2009 the Meeting Point was the historic Harrods store on Florida Street where passers by could window gaze at dancers in action. This year the Meeting Point is the historic Art Deco former El Hogar Banco building at Bartolome Mitre 575 in the heart of downtown Buenos Aires.
With exciting performances like the concert with 87 year-old Juan Carlos Godoy performing tango songs from the 1920s and 1930s or the Tango Music under the stars at the Galileo Planetarium and the special children’s shows at the Meeting Point it is a true festival for all ages. Plus all over the city and particularly in La Boca, San Telmo, Recoleta, and Palermo local bars, cafes, restaurants, and small theaters celebrate dance in all forms.
The Dance World Cup commencing on August 23rd will award the best dancers in the categories Salon Tango and Stage Tango with over 400 couples from around the globe competing for the prizes.
In addition numerous special activities including conferences, book presentations, films, workshops, exhibits, and more provide something for all dance fans to enjoy.
For all of these reasons the Tango Buenos Aires festival is renowned as the ultimate celebration of dance and music in the world. In 2009 UNESCO recognized the festival as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. In the 2010 event—the tenth annual fete—approximately 150 programmed activities with over 500 artists will be staged during the nineteen days of activities.
Tango Buenos Aires is without a doubt one of the most awaited and anticipated events of the city’s cultural calendar. During these nineteen days the locals and visitors are treated to the most diverse Tango jubilation of songs, music, and dance. With or without your dancing shoes come and live this unforgettable Tango experience!
For More Information Visit: www.tangobuenosaires.gov.ar
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